The request takes aim at programs that were excessive or performing poorly. These include ending the Navy’s EPX intelligence aircraft, the third-generation infrared surveillance program, the next generation CGX cruiser, the net-enabled and controlled command and control program, and the Defense Integrated Military Human Resources System. The request completes the C-17 airlifter program and closes the production line.

The request ends the second engine for the F-35 joint strike fighter, “as whatever benefits might accrue are more than offset by excess costs, complexity and associated risks,” Gates said.

The secretary was precise in spelling out his opposition to the last two of those programs in particular.

“I will continue to strongly recommend that the president veto any legislation that sustains the continuation of the C-17 or the F-35 extra engine,” Gates said. “And given some recent commentary, let me be explicit. It would be a very serious mistake to believe the president would accept these unneeded programs simply because the authorization or appropriations legislation includes other provisions important to him and to this administration.”

Gates said the department must maintain budget growth over the next few years, as the nation fights two wars. That said, Gates added, he understands this is a fiscally constrained environment, and wants the department to trim overhead costs and rethink acquisition.

“Last month I called on the Pentagon to take a hard, unsparing look at how the department is staffed, organized and operated,” he said. “My goal is to significantly reduce our overhead costs in order to free up the resources needed to sustain our force structure, to modernize and to create future combat capabilities while living within the current top line.”

Defense Department leaders are looking to find more than $100 billion in overhead savings over the next five fiscal years, starting in fiscal 2012. “No organization within the department, including my own office, will be excluded from these efforts,” Gates said. “All of the savings will be applied to fund personnel and units, force structure and investment in future capabilities.”

Gates stressed the budget reflects the department’s major priorities. The first of these is strengthening the nation’s commitment to care for the all-volunteer force, America’s greatest strategic asset, the secretary said. The second priority seeks to rebalance U.S. defense posture by emphasizing both the capabilities needed to prevail in irregular conflicts and the capabilities that likely will be needed in the future.

The third priority is to continue to reform the acquisition process.

The secretary also addressed the pending request for $159 billion in fiscal 2011 to support overseas contingency operations, primarily in Afghanistan and Iraq. He also asked Congress to speed approval of $33 billion needed in fiscal 2010 to fund President Barack Obama’s new approach in Afghanistan.

“The commitments made and programs funded in the [overseas contingency operations] and supplemental requests demonstrate this administration’s determination to support our troops and commanders at the front so they can accomplish their critical missions and return home safely,” Gates said.

“I am becoming increasingly concerned about the lack of progress on the supplemental, and strongly urge Congress to complete its work on the request as quickly as possible,” the secretary said. “If the supplemental is not enacted by the July 4 congressional recess, we will have to begin planning to curtail defense operations. Such planning is disruptive and can be costly, especially in time of war, and I ask your help in avoiding this action.”